At the end of a ministerial meeting in Indonesia, the movement reiterated its support for the creation of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, a position it shares with the United States but which is rejected by Israel.

In a joint statement, the ministers "reaffirmed the longstanding international consensus recognizing the Palestinian people as a nation and recognizing their inalienable right to self-determination and independence in their state of Palestine, with east Jerusalem as its capital."

They called on Israel to release Palestinian "political prisoners" including 300 under the age of 18 and 10 members of the Palestinian legislative council.

"The issue is a central one and a practical and effective benchmark in the construction of a just peace in the region," the statement said.

"The ministers stressed that the release of a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners ... could constitute a positive step towards fostering the climate of mutual trust necessary for the resumption of permanent status negotiations."

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened the meeting on Wednesday and warned of new strategic rivalries between states as the world deals with complex challenges including terrorism and climate change.

But in their declaration the foreign ministers referred only to the Palestinian issue and a long-standing call for nuclear disarmament.

"The ministers declare their firm commitment to work for convening a high-level international conference to identify ways and means of eliminating nuclear weapons at the earliest possible date," they said.

The declaration made no mention of specific events in member states such as Libya, Yemen or Bahrain, countries which are in the grip of violent turmoil as unpopular regimes try to cling to power in the face of unrest.

On the sidelines of the meeting on the resort island of Bali, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi told the official MENA news agency that he had met his Iranian counterpart to discuss re-opening diplomatic ties.

He said Egypt's next parliament, which will be elected in September, would review the establishment of diplomatic relations with Iran.

Iran severed diplomatic relations with Egypt in 1980 in protest at Cairo's peace treaty with Israel signed a year earlier, and the two states maintain only interests sections in each other's capitals.

But they have signalled they plan to mend ties in the wake of the Feb. 11 fall of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's regime.

1 ) 118 versus 4 / USA

27/05/2011 13:00

So it is 118 in one corner, but in the other will be 4 Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, the apartheid state and the apartheid state's chief funder and promoter....

2 ) Carlos / USA

27/05/2011 18:17

This makes the US look ridiculous. I am embarassed my government is in the group of four. I am embarassed USA did not complain when Israel executed Furkan Dogan. I am embarassed USA did not complain Israel murdered 8 Turks last year. I am embarassed USA vetoed resolutions which would stop Israels attacks on Gaza and on Lebanon. I am proud of Lebanon and Gaza for standing for their rights.

3 ) ABE / USA

27/05/2011 18:20

Hey 118 verses 4 and guess who carries more weight!! lol lol lol!!

4 ) Tobias / US

27/05/2011 18:31

- RELEASING KILLERS WON'T BE A "STEP TOWARDS PEACE" !!

And G8 leaders issued this statement:"DEAUVILLE, France - G8 leaders had to soften a statement urging Israel and the Palestinians to return to negotiations because Canada objected to a specific mention of 1967 borders, diplomats said on Friday.

Canada's government adopted a pro-Israel position in international negotiations since coming to power in 2006, with PM Harper saying Canada will back Israel whatever the cost."

5 ) JG / USA

27/05/2011 21:08

To 118: Get an education. USA is not a member of the "non-aligned" nations.
So whatever they say is completely irrelevant.
Just curious: Did they also demand the release of Gilad Shalit?
No? That's what I thought.

6 ) southparkbear / usa

27/05/2011 23:18

I am sure israel will take this into consideration. after all great HR countries are making their vocie heard. Who could say no to Yemen, Syria and other less HR prominant countries

7 ) abdalla / usa

28/05/2011 11:19

usa the worst hypocrites ever!!

8 ) Christopher / USA

28/05/2011 22:08

Did you want to name a few more countries right-wingers like you made us oursource torture to, southparkbear?

9 ) Robert Haymond / Israel/Canada

29/05/2011 21:57

No mention by the socalled non-aligned countries of Gilad Schalit. No surprise.

10 ) southparkbear / usa

30/05/2011 03:16

No christopher. No point, your geography and world history should have been learned while you are at school. Now it's too late to teach you anything

Name

Country

Comment

Characters

Note: Comments will be reviewed for appropriate content. Click here for more details.